Danielle L. Jensen's Reader Group discussion
This topic is about
Hidden Huntress
Hidden Huntress Read-Along
>
Extra #6 Deleted scene featuring Tristan & Sabine
date
newest »
newest »
Oh, this scene! Tristan is so awesome! Need more!
Love this scene! Anushka really thought things through with a steel fortress! Not even the fey would gladly step inside its walls.
I really like this scene because it reminds us of something we tend to forget and it's that the trolls aren't the only ones kept captive! And hints again very intriguingly at the Winter fey queen... I wonder what will happen in Warrior Witch!
Love the last line! Well played, Anushka indeed! I kind of wish there was more Tristan/ Sabine scenes! I just want more scenes with everyone together being witty lol
(This hasn't been through editorial, so please forgive any errors or discontinuities with the published novel)
I drummed my fingers against my knee, watching the city pass by as the carriage sped through the city streets. More than half my life had my life had been dedicated to plans that were predicated upon my people remaining cursed, and none of it mattered anymore. Now I had only a matter of hours to come up with a plan for the exact opposite circumstance: me willfully freeing my people. Not just a plan, but plans for every possible variation of events. A reaction for every action my enemies took. I needed to think like my father, and I felt woefully unequipped.
The trolls were one thing. I knew them, and to certain extent, I could predict their actions. But I’d also be unleashing the fey, and they were a wildcard like none other. Worse yet, I’d be unleashing them on the longest night, and tomorrow was the first day of winter. The Isle would be firmly in her grasp, and she would not wait long to come for the payment she was owed.
The Queen of Winter had saved my life, and for that she could demand almost anything from me and I’d be powerless to refuse. There was no predicting what it might be, but there was no doubt in my mind that it wouldn’t be something I wanted to give.
The carriage slowed to a stop on the bridge leading up to the gates of the castle. It was studded with steel, and a dull band of the metal circled the walls themselves. A structure built centuries ago when the humans still remembered how to defend themselves. It was a forgotten art, which was why I’d sent Chris riding through the night to the Hollow with instructions my kind had never willing given to humans. I hoped they would listen to him.
The door to the carriage opened, the face of a liveried guardsman appearing. “Good evening, monsieur,” he said. “I must ask to see your invitation.”
Extracting it from my coat pocket, I handed it to the soldier. He glanced at the card, started to hand it back, then hesitated. Stepping back from the carriage, he held the card so that the torches hanging on the gate illuminated it. His jaw flexed slightly, but he stepped back to the carriage and handed me the invitation. I tensed, but all he said was, “Enjoy the celebration, monsieur.” He nodded at Sabine. “You as well, mademoiselle.”
A dozen lords and ladies in finery were exiting carriages ahead of us, and I greeted those I’d met, watching for any reaction that would indicate they knew more than they should. But they only smiled and laughed, the scent of wine already on their breaths and their eyes bright. Sabine took my arm, and I led her up the sturdy steps of the squat castle. I was about to step over the threshold when a wave of stench hit my nose, repulsion sending me staggering back a pace.
“What’s wrong?” Sabine asked.
“I’ve never been to the castle before,” I said quickly, trying to ignore the urge to back away from the entrance. “Thought I might take a look before going in.”
She frowned and stepped aside to let the other revellers pass. “It isn’t much to look upon, is it? I’ve always wondered why the Regent of old insisted on building something so painfully ugly.”
Painful was correct. The whole blasted structure was filled with forged steel, and I suspected going inside was going to make me feel as though I was enclosed within a steel box. “Defence?” I muttered, eyeing the building with naked distaste.
“Against,” she lowered her voice, “the trolls?”
I shook my head, knowing I could level the building in a matter of moments. “I think the Regent of old knew something the current Regent does not.” Well played, Anushka, I thought to myself.